It would appear that Lady Liberty-at least how we were taught to love her-has foundational cracks.

With the election less than four months away, the eyes of the world are upon us.That lens isn't lost on the Boys on the Beltway.

As the master plan gains clarity, their agenda seemingly has two initiatives, in no particular order:

Break the bearish credit bets made by global macro funds by squeezing stocks higher so Corporate America can issue secondary offerings.That will dilute equities but offer a respite in the credit markets.This is the primary objective of the enforcement of the short-tick rule, explained here and here, and chatter in the marketplace-reported today, first discussed on MV Friday-is that the SEC might extend this to all equities.

Break crude, with an eye towards "par" by November.While empirical evidence shows little if any historical relationship between the price of oil and equities-the 10-year correlation between crude and airlines is negative .246 (very mild)-psychology surrounding lower oil could conceivably shift sentiment.Look for Texas Tea to continue its 15% pullback this month and mysteriously migrate towards $100 in the months ahead.

Ironically, the effort to squeeze stocks higher with an inclusive rule would have dangerous repercussions for global financial markets.The removal, or eradication, of shorts while facilitating the short-term goals of the powers that be, would remove important and necessary layers of demand.

Once that ban is lifted, the conditional elements of a crash would then be in place.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger-I'm just calling it as I see it.And lest you think I should be fitted for a tin foil hat and sent to a grassy knoll, take a peek at the past.

In a normal world, I would prolly have pressed Fannie (FNM) and Freddie (FRE) on Friday's S&P news. While the stocks will likely be nationalized in time, I don't feel like trading against Hank Paulson. His pockets are much deeper than mine, which is sorta weird because his pockets are mine.

Cash America (CSH), the pawn shop chain, mentioned on its earnings call that refined gold sales were up 60% year over year.That, coupled with the uptick in people prematurely tapping into their 401(k)'s, is a manifestation of the credit crunch that's flying beneath the radar.

If you've been bullish and bearish and bullish and bearish and bullish and bearish today, do yourself a favor and take a deep breath. Death by 1000 paper cuts is no way to go through life, son.

Todd Harrison is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Minyanville. Prior to his current role, Mr. Harrison was President and head trader at a $400 million dollar New York-based hedge fund. Todd welcomes your comments and/or feedback at todd@minyanville.com.

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